The correct answer is to use AWS Snowball Edge or AWS DataSync with compression enabled over a Direct Connect link. Snowball Edge bypasses network limitations entirely by physically shipping the 5 TB database, making it ideal when a 500 Mbps link cannot complete the transfer within a 24-hour window. DataSync with compression reduces the effective data size over Direct Connect, accelerating the initial data transfer to meet tight deadlines. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this question tests your ability to balance network bandwidth, data volume, and time constraints for an SAP HANA initial data load. A common trap is assuming AWS DMS or S3 multipart upload can handle 5 TB in 24 hours over 500 Mbps, but theoretical throughput is often negated by protocol overhead and encryption latency. Remember the mnemonic “Snowball for speed, DataSync for squeeze” to recall that Snowball handles physical bulk while DataSync compresses the pipe.
PAS-C01 Migration Practice Question
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of migration. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A company is migrating an SAP HANA database from on-premises to AWS. The database is 5 TB and the network link is 500 Mbps. The company has a tight window of 24 hours for the migration. Which TWO methods can be used to transfer the initial data load within the time constraint?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use AWS Snowball Edge to transfer the database backup files to AWS.
Option A (AWS Snowball Edge) and Option D (AWS DataSync over Direct Connect with compression) are correct. Snowball Edge can physically ship data, bypassing network. DataSync with compression can accelerate transfer over Direct Connect. Option B (DMS) over 500 Mbps for 5 TB would take ~23 hours (theoretical) plus overhead, may exceed 24 hours. Option C (S3 multipart upload) same as DMS. Option E (AWS Site-to-Site VPN) is slower than Direct Connect.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Use AWS DMS to perform a full load directly over the network.
Why it's wrong here
5 TB at 500 Mbps takes ~23 hours; risk of exceeding window.
✗
Use AWS Site-to-Site VPN with jumbo frames enabled.
Use AWS Snowball Edge to transfer the database backup files to AWS.
Why this is correct
Physical transfer bypasses network limitations.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Use AWS DataSync with compression enabled over a Direct Connect link.
Why this is correct
DataSync can compress and accelerate transfer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use Amazon S3 multipart upload to upload backup files directly from on-premises.
Why it's wrong here
Similar to DMS, network limited.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Similar concept trap
Similar to DMS, network limited.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which PAS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Migration — This question tests Migration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use AWS Snowball Edge to transfer the database backup files to AWS. — Option A (AWS Snowball Edge) and Option D (AWS DataSync over Direct Connect with compression) are correct. Snowball Edge can physically ship data, bypassing network. DataSync with compression can accelerate transfer over Direct Connect. Option B (DMS) over 500 Mbps for 5 TB would take ~23 hours (theoretical) plus overhead, may exceed 24 hours. Option C (S3 multipart upload) same as DMS. Option E (AWS Site-to-Site VPN) is slower than Direct Connect.
What should I do if I get this PAS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which PAS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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This PAS-C01 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PAS-C01 exam.
Question Discussion
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